Harlequins Ladies Hockey Match Report

Loretto 3 - Harlequins 2 a.e.t

[Score 2 - 2 after normal time]

Scorers: J. Chapple 2

Irish Senior Cup - Final

Sunday 23rd March 2003 at 4:20pm

Report and image courtesy of www.hockey.ie

Holders Loreto won the 101st Irish Senior Cup Final on Sunday 23rd March at the National Hockey Stadium, U.C.D. Belfield.

In one of the most exciting encounters in recent memory, Loreto got off to a perfect start when Cathy McKean notched the opener after just 3 minutes. Cork Harlequins, on the back foot for the early exchanges, weathered the storm well and went close before the half time hooter with efforts from Jane Chappel and Karen Bateman.

Loreto should have doubled the scoreline when a penalty stroke was awarded early in the second half, but Sarah O'Meara's tame effort was effortlessly saved by Orla McCarthy. However, the Loreto fans did not have too long to wait as McKean forced home her second after great work along the end line by Nikki Keegan after 44 minutes. Cork Harlequins then went for broke and were justly rewarded when Jane Chapple beat Healy in a one-on-one after 53 minutes. Cork Harlequins pressed on and much to the delight of the travelling supporters, equalised with just 76 seconds to the final hooter. Extra time.

A devastated Loreto rebounded excellently and Nikki Symmons made no mistake from the top of the circle after Aoife O'Brien cleverly switched the ball past the advancing Cork Harlequins no. 1 runner. Although Cork Harlequins rallied, their fate was sealed despite Emer Dillon's shot flashing past the post from a well rehearsed penalty corner. Loreto defended the second period of extra time with the coolest of composures and deserved their just rewards when the final hooter sounded, over 2 hours from initial hit-off. Orla Ryan was voted player of the match by the media in attendance.

The match was televised LIVE on RTE, the first game to be broadcast since the 1995 Mens European Championships in Dublin, and was a resounding success all round.